Impact of focused patient care in clinical outcomes of heart failure patients: A comparative study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical outcomes like alleviation of symptoms, improvement in lab parameters and cardiac function among heart failure patients treated under Heart Failure clinics and patients consulting in general cardiology outpatient departments (OPD). 200 heart failure patients who consulted Heart failure (HF) clinic and general cardiology OPD's during the year of 2017 who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for the study. Patients were followed retrospectively and Patient data relevant to the study were obtained at 1st, 6th and 12th months from the electronic medical record (EMR). The data collected were then evaluated for different outcomes and were then compared between the two groups. After 6 and 12 months of treatment dyspnea and chest pain significantly reduced in the HF clinic group compared to other cardiology OPD patients. Dyspnoea and ankle swelling were found to be worsened in patients visiting other cardiology OPD when compared to their previous visit. All laboratory parameters of patients in HF clinic were maintained within the normal range. Clinically significant improvement in blood cholesterol level, LDL, HDL, TG and BP were observed in patients treated under HF clinic. The study concluded that heart failure patients who received personalized care through heart failure clinics had significant improvement in their clinical presentations, laboratory parameters and cardiac function parameters within one year of diagnosis.